Cyclone Michaung highlights: Storm likely to make landfall in AP's Bapatla, officials on high alert

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The cyclonic storm Michaung, anticipated to reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on Tuesday morning, was positioned near Chennai and Puducherry, causing heavy rainfall. The name 'Michaung,' suggested by Myanmar, signifies strength or resilience. Transport services were severely affected, with numerous train and flight cancellations. Extensively flooded roads posed a challenge for the few users navigating them. Various areas in the state capital and nearby districts of Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur were submerged, prompting government efforts to clear the stagnant water and manage the inundation.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Due to the cyclone, the Tamil Nadu government has announced a public holiday in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Tiruvallur districts on Tuesday.

All educational institutions, government offices, public undertakings, corporations, boards, banks, and financial institutions in these districts—Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu—will remain closed owing to the severe weather conditions prevailing in the state.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: BRS leader K Kavita shared a video on Monday morning showing parked cars being washed away in the rainwater. She expressed her 'concern,' stating that her prayers are with the people of Chennai as the city grapples with heavy rainfall caused by Cyclone Michaung.

“Deeply concerned about the impact of the Cyclone Michaung on Chennai city. I wish and pray for safety and well-being of the people. Stay strong, Chennai. We're with you. Prayers,” she said on X.

People were seen scrambling to purchase and replenish essential supplies, with a high demand for drinking water.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: In a sarcastic tone on Monday, actor Vishal posted a video urging the officers of the Greater Chennai Corporation to step out and assist the people affected by the floods caused by cyclone Michaung, unlike their response during the 2015 floods.

"Dear Ms Priya Rajan (Mayor of Chennai) and to one & all other officers of Greater Chennai Corporation including the Commissioner. Hope you all are safe & sound with your families & water especially drainage water not entering your houses & most importantly hope you have unconditional supply of food & electricity. Just checking as a Voter coz as Citizens living in the same city as you are, we are not in the same position. I wonder if the entire storm water drain project was meant for Singapore or Chennai?

Can u pls let us know as we in 2015 came on to the roads to help people in distress but after 8 years it is pathetic to see an even worse condition.

We will continue to help this time around also for sure with food supplies & water, but I guess this time would love to see all the representatives of each constituency come out & do the needful & instil hope & help rather than fear & distress.

I put my head down in shame as I write to you. Awaiting not a miracle but wat is called DUTY to Citizens. God Bless," he said in the video

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The intense cyclonic storm is expected to strengthen slowly and track northwards, running nearly parallel and in proximity to the south Andhra Pradesh coastline. It is projected to make landfall around the forenoon of Tuesday between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, according to a statement released by the Amaravati Meteorological Centre.

• Because of continuous rainfall, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) has temporarily restricted devotees from taking a holy bath at Sri Kapilathirtham waterfalls.

• In consideration of the adverse weather conditions, TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh has postponed his ‘Yuva Galam’ padayatra (political walkathon) by three days.

(With PTI inputs)

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Earlier today the aiport operations were suspended till 11 pm today due to heavy rainfall witnessed by the city amidst the ‘severe’ cyclonic storm.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ is currently centred at a distance of 80 km southeast of Nellore and around 12 km north-north east of Chennai as of 5.30 pm today, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

“SCS MICHAUNG over WC & adj SW BoB lay centered about 80km SE of Nellore and 120 km north-northeast of Chennai at 1730IST of today. Likely to move nearly northwards and cross south AP coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam close to Bapatla during forenoon of 5 Dec as SCS,” IMD wrote on X.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) within its operational area has cancelled a total of 60 trains due to heavy rain. Additionally, ECoR has established a Crisis Management Cell to oversee the impact and developments related to Cyclone Michaung.

-Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO), ECoR Ashoka Kumar Mishra said, "The ECoR is providing a round-the-clock helpline number for information or assistance for the convenience of passengers. It has intensified patrolling at vulnerable locations by deputing patrolmen and watchmen. Additional Control Room and Disaster Management Cell will be opened at Divisional Headquarters. 60 trains have been cancelled in ECoR Jurisdiction ahead of Cyclone Michaung."

-Due to heavy rainfall causing the water level to rise to a critical point at Bridge No. 14 between Vyasarpadi and Basin Bridge, eleven express trains departing from Chennai Central were canceled earlier on Monday.

Helpline Numbers: Bhubaneswar: 0674 - 2301525, 2301626, 2303060

(With ANI inputs)

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: As a precautionary step, the Odisha government has dispatched rescue teams to the southern districts of the state. In anticipation of substantial rainfall in Malkangiri, Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati, and Ganjam, the state has mobilized five ODRAF (Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force) teams and eight fire service teams for swift rescue operations, according to Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) Satyabrata Sahu.

• The intense cyclonic activity in the Bay of Bengal is expected to hit land between Nellore and Machilipatnam, near Bapatla, Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday morning.

• The system, travelling at 10 kmph in the sea, is currently positioned about 80 km southeast of Nellore, 120 km north-northeast of Chennai, 210 km south of Bapatla, and 250 km south-southwest of Machilipatnam as of the latest IMD bulletin at 5:30 pm.

(With PTI inputs)

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The Railway Ministry has set up an ‘emergency cell’ in Chennai and a dedicated war room at Rail Bhawan in New Delhi, among several other measures, to effectively address the challenges brought by the cyclonic storm 'Michaung'.

"Health unit, Chennai division has also geared up its disaster management action plan and formed two teams. Team A including doctors and other on-duty staff to board the SPART (Self Propelled Accident Relief Trains) at platform no. 11 as soon as the message arrives and will report to the officer in-charge at the disaster/accident spot and start the relief work," the railway ministry said.

This ‘severe’ storm will make a potential landfall tomorrow in Andhra Pradesh's Bapatla as it is further set ot intensify

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: During the cyclonic storm's heavy rainfall impacting Chennai and nearby areas, the Indian Army intervened to rescue around 300 individuals from the flooded regions of Mugalivakkam and Manapakkam within the city, as reported by news agency ANI, citing the Indian Army.

ANI quoted a statement from the Indian Army, mentioning that 135 personnel, equipped with necessary resources like boats, flood relief supplies, and vehicles, facilitated the aid and rescue operations.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Five people were killed in seperate incidents amid heavy rainfall caused by cyclone Michaung in Chennai, ANI reported citing city's police department.

A separate incident led to one person sustaining injuries from a fallen tree, confirmed the police.

Due to severe waterlogging, subways have been shut in Chennai, while traffic closure between Manjambakkam to Vadaperumbakkam Road is attributed to water release from Puzhal Lake, reported the police.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Chennai regional meteorological centre on Monday evening issued a thunderstorm nowcast (short-term weather forecast) warning in Tamil Nadu for the next three hours amidst the cyclonic storm.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah on Monday evening spoke to Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan to take the stock of preparations cyclonic storm ‘Michaung’ which is likely to make landfall in Bapatla on Tuesday morning.

“Had a discussion with the Andhra Pradesh CM Shri @ysjaganJi about the preparations concerning the potential landfall of Cyclone Michaung. Saving the lives of citizens has been our priority. The central govt is braced to provide all the necessary assistance to Andhra Pradesh. NDRF is already deployed and more teams are on standby to mobilize as needed,” Shah wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The cyclonic storm 'Michaung', is likely to intensify further and make landfall between Nellore and Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh by tomorrow morning, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD)

“SCS MICHAUNG over WC & adj SW BoB lay centered about 100km NE of Chennai and 120km SE of Nellore at 1430IST of today. To intensify gradually and move nearly northwards and cross south AP coast between Nellore and Machilipatnam close to Bapatla during forenoon of 5 Dec as SCS,”said the weather department in a post on 'X'.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Chennai Airport officials declared a closure of flight operations until 9 am tomorrow due to heavy rainfall from Cyclone Michaung.

Earlier, the airport suspended arrival operations from 9:17 am to 11:30 am on Monday. Subsequently, after assessing the situation, the airport, through X (formerly Twitter), announced the complete shutdown of both arrival and departure operations until 11 pm due to severe weather conditions.

Operations were halted on Monday as the runway submerged under heavy rain, ahead of Cyclone Michaung's anticipated landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast Tuesday morning. Read more

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: In view of the current cyclonic storm that is likely to make a landfall tomorrow in Andhra Pradesh, Southern Railways and related zones have provided a set of general guidelines and emergency contact details for the public in case of any urgent situation. These include phone numbers for Railway officials, Medical teams, Emergency vehicles, commercial control for public inquiries, tower wagon drivers, as well as a list of available DG sets, pumps, submersible sewage pumps, etc., stationed across various stations.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: The Indian Railways has mobilised its resources to ensure the safe and efficient operation of trains in regions anticipated to be impacted by cyclone 'Michaung'.

• As part of its preparedness for managing cyclone-related disasters, the Indian Railways has established an emergency control center at Divisional and Headquarters levels.

• They have established an emergency control center at Divisional and HQ levels, staffed with officers from various departments such as Operating, Commercial, Engineering, Electrical, Signal/Telecommunications, and Security. These teams operate in shifts, ensuring continuous monitoring and prompt action in managing train operations round the clock.

Cyclone Michaung LIVE: Flooded roads caused by heavy rainfall presented a difficulty for the sparse number of road users in Tamil Nadu. Several areas in the state capital and neighbouring districts like Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur were covered in water, prompting the government to mobilize efforts to clear the stagnant water and flooding.

• Rail and air services experienced cancellations and delays.

• Flooding in Chennai led to the closure of 14 subways within the city.

• In the capital, efforts were made to clear uprooted trees at 11 different locations.

•At Velachery, a section of land collapsed, resulting in a deep pit and trapping individuals.

• An incident involved a building collapse in the same area, trapping some workers. Two individuals were rescued and hospitalized, although specific details were not provided by the police.

Cyclone Michaung News LIVE: Union home minister Amit Shah spoke to Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin via phone on Monday morning to discuss the current situation in the state due to Cyclone Michaung. Shah assured full support from the Centre, expressing concern and inquiring about the circumstances. In response, Stalin mentioned that if necessary after the cyclone, he would seek assistance from the Centre for conducting relief operations.

• Due to the cyclone, educational institutions, government and private offices, financial institutions, and banks in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu districts will remain closed on Tuesday, as declared by the Tamil Nadu government.

• Private companies have been advised to enable their employees to work from home in the affected areas on Tuesday.

• However, essential services, including police, fire service, local bodies, milk and water supply, hospitals and pharmacies, power supply, transportation, fuel stations, and offices involved in disaster response and relief efforts, will operate as usual despite the cyclone.

(With PTI inputs)

Cyclone Michaung News LIVE: Flooded roads created significant challenges for few commuters in several parts of the state capital and adjacent districts like Kancheepuram, Chengalpattu, and Tiruvallur, news agency PTI reported.

Despite government efforts to clear the waterlogged areas, extensive inundation persisted. Over the last 24 hours until 8:30 am today, Perungudi in Chennai received 29 cm of rainfall, while Avadi in Tiruvallur district recorded 28 cm, and Mamallapuram in Chengalpet received 22 cm. The latest weather update predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall and strong winds in these four districts until late Monday.